Beach Vacation by the Numbers

So Caroline and I just got back from a family vacation and I’ll be the first to admit that these trips take a bit of a toll on me. But such is to be expected, I suppose, when you haul five kids to the beach. So much harder than home, as I’m certain any parent would attest. But as much as these trips take out of us, they give back so much more. And while it’d be impossible to do these week-long extravaganzas any justice with the written word, I thought it might be fun to try and describe it to you with numbers instead. Well, with numbers and some of my favorite pics from the trip.

Number of miles before first media-related altercation (as defined by fighting for control over radio or DVD player). Seriously, I'm not even 100% sure we were on the interstate by that point. Photo Credit: Flickr user Tim Patterson

9 3 of 25

Number of times Kirby demanded we "play Christmas music." Which, incidentally, was the source of the first altercation. Photo Credit JCO

1 4 of 25

Number of, um, emergency pit stops taken. Photo Credit JCO

5 5 of 25

Number of children along for our adventure. Photo Credit JCO

1 6 of 25

Number of children who made the trip easier. (hint it's not the smaller one)Photo Credit JCO

2 7 of 25

Number of crab sunglasses we bought. Because, you know, you never know when you might need a spare. Plus, they're super kick-ass, no?Photo Credit JCO

Combined number of times I was asked to return such a seashell.Photo Credit JCO

3 10 of 25

Number of bikes we had for the seven of us. Well, plus the two carts which had four spots between them to accommodate Luke and the triplets.Photo Credit JCO

6 11 of 25

Number of miles we biked to and from dinner at the Salty Dog. Photo Credit JCO

7 12 of 25

Number of times we had to stop to break up fights or appease a fusser. (And, yes, I'm aware I just used the same photo of Caroline three consecutive times. But gimme a break do you know how hard it is to take a picture while you're dragging two fist-fighting triplets? Photo Credit JCO

at least once 13 of 25

Number of times per day I had a significant amount of solo time with my little man. Photo Credit JCO

Number of times I asked him to stop jumping in that hole. Photo Credit JCO

Way more than normal 18 of 25

Amount of TV we let the triplets watch. Photo Credit JCO

ZERO 19 of 25

Minutes I spent worrying about how much TV we let the triplets watch. (No. I have no idea what the look on my face in that picture is all about. Except for possibly beers. It might be all about beers.) Photo Credit JCO

Countless 20 of 25

Number of times the above scene, or one quite similar, warmed my heart. (Toggle down to just below the thumbnails and click the "2" to see the rest of the slideshow) Photo Credit JCO

Every single time 21 of 25

How often the triplets took off running as we walked the boardwalk to the beach. Photo Credit JCO

ZERO 22 of 25

Number of bathing suits we brought down for Luke. I know. Epic fail. A lot of folks probably think that letting your kid run around on the beach without a bathing suit all week is kinda redneck-y. But we chose to categorize it as swim-diaper chic. Photo Credit JCO

3 23 of 25

Number of "Cookie Monster" ice cream cups we bought at the Salty Dog the very ones responsible for my little girl's mustache. Photo Credit JCO

2 24 of 25

Number of incredibly proud and blessed parents who got the privilege to watch their children grow a week older at the beach. Photo Credit JCO

7 25 of 25

Number of people in this picture who are counting the days till our next beach vacation. Because we become a better family after each and every one of these bad boys. And I'm pretty sure that every single one of us knows that. At least on some level. Oh, and quick shout out to Luke who appears to be hell bent on causing Caroline a wardrobe malfunction. Well played, son. And nice try, too. Better luck next time. Photo Credit JCO

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